Boom...!
An almost majestic and overwhelming Reiatsu emerged, shaking the very air around Bai Ye's body!
Then, as if endless waves of Reiatsu spread in all directions, it descended upon the entirety of the World Government's sacred land, Mariejois.
"Plop!"
"Plop!"
"Plop!"
One by one, the guards of the World Government, rushing from various locations, were crushed to the ground under the sheer weight of the thundering Reiatsu!
"What is happening?!"
"Conqueror's Haki?! Impossible!"
"Can someone's Conqueror's Haki be this overwhelming?!"
The guards, who had pointed their weapons at Bai Ye, found themselves immobilized. Some coughed up blood, while others collapsed, unable to withstand the suffocating pressure. A few even died outright, their bodies unable to endure the monstrous force.
Those who managed to remain conscious barely lifted their heads. Their trembling eyes beheld a scene they would never forget—a sight so terrifying it would haunt them forever.
This was unprecedented. In the long and proud history of the World Government, no one had ever dared to invade Mariejois. But now, a single man stood there, releasing an unparalleled Conqueror's Haki that caused the entire Mariejois building to quake.
And it didn't stop there.
Massive cracks, visible to the naked eye, began to spread from beneath Bai Ye's feet, radiating outward and splitting the extremely hard surface of the Red Line. The ground trembled violently as structures began to collapse.
The World Government guards, witnessing the devastation, were gripped by terror.
Was the world… no, the World Government itself, about to be destroyed?!
"B-B*d!"
"This is the World Government! No sinner can invade this place and live!"
A swarm of CPO members emerged from the chaos, determined to act. Yet, as they approached, the suffocating Reiatsu intensified. Most of the elite agents found themselves crushed to the ground, unable to move. Only a handful of senior CPO officers, through sheer willpower, managed to remain standing.
They stared at Bai Ye with wide eyes, a mix of shock and disbelief in their expressions.
"What kind of monster is this man?!"
Suppressing their fear, the senior CPO officers gritted their teeth and charged at Bai Ye.
"Shave!"
Using Marine Six Styles, they moved through the air, struggling against the immense pressure of the Reiatsu. They unleashed a flurry of Finger Pistols and Tempest Kicks, aiming at Bai Ye.
"You b*d! This is the World Government!"
"You will die here!"
Their attacks flew toward Bai Ye, accompanied by furious roars.
But Bai Ye merely raised his gaze, his voice calm and dismissive.
"Irrelevant small fry… not worth my time."
With those words, Bai Ye's Reiatsu surged even further, crushing the incoming attacks in midair. He then raised his hand, gripping the flaming blade of Ryūjin Jakka. With a casual swing, he unleashed a scorching wave of fire.
Boom!
The temperature in Mariejois skyrocketed. The flames engulfed the five or six CPO officers who had dared to charge at Bai Ye. In an instant, their bodies were reduced to ash, leaving nothing behind but scorched air.
"M-Monster!"
The remaining guards and CPO members trembled as they witnessed this horrifying display of power.
Nearby, chaos erupted.
"Lord Rose Saint! This place is dangerous! Please retreat!"
"Retreat?!" A blonde, middle-aged Celestial Dragon, seated on the back of a kneeling slave, snapped in anger. "Are you joking?! The sinner who killed my son is right here on Mariejois, and you expect me to run away?!"
The Celestial Dragon whipped the slave beneath him, venting his rage.
"Damn sinner!" he screamed at Bai Ye. "You killed my son! I will never forgive you! I'll make sure you, your hometown, and anyone you care about become my slaves for generations to come!"
His rant was cut short as Bai Ye raised a single finger, a flicker of blue-white lightning forming at its tip.
"Hadō no. 4: Byakurai."
A bolt of lightning shot through the air, heading straight for the Celestial Dragon.
"Protect Lord Rose Saint!" the CPO agents shouted in desperation. They tried to shield him, but the sheer power of the lightning obliterated them on impact. The bolt tore through the Celestial Dragon's chest, leaving nothing but a charred corpse.
Gasps of horror filled the air as the guards and soldiers witnessed the unthinkable.
A Celestial Dragon… had been killed.
And not just any Celestial Dragon. The head of one of the noble families had fallen in the Holy Land itself.
The soldiers of Mariejois were frozen in shock. To them, the Celestial Dragons were untouchable—living gods. And yet, one of those "gods" now lay lifeless on the ground.
"Kill him! Kill this sinner at all costs!"
"He cannot leave Mariejois alive!"
Desperate, the guards launched every weapon at their disposal. But as their attacks entered the oppressive Reiatsu field surrounding Bai Ye, they faltered. Bullets fell to the ground, swords shattered mid-swing, and those who tried to approach were crushed under the immense pressure.
Bai Ye, unfazed, turned his attention to the horizon.
From afar, five powerful figures approached, their auras as imposing as mountains. These were the Five Elders, the apparent rulers of the World Government.
The blond-bearded Elder, his face twisted in anger, barked, "You insolent b*d! You dare to invade the World Government?! This will be your last mistake!"
Bai Ye smirked, his gaze cold and unyielding.
"The biggest mistake is thinking you can stop me."
He stepped forward, his voice calm yet piercing.
"Where is Im?"
The mention of this name sent visible shockwaves through the Five Elders. Their expressions darkened, their fear momentarily breaking through their composure.
"Shut up! Don't you dare utter that name!"